Semi-pro teams raise money for CASA

Victoria Texans player Casey Coleman gives Yoakum CYFL player Mauricio Pecina, 9, a high-five during halftime of Saturday's CASA Bowl II at Memorial Stadium. The CYFL teams that won this year's Super Bowl were honored at halftime.
Angeli Wright
for The Victoria Advocate

In football there is only one winner in any given game, unless it's the CASA Bowl.

The Victoria Texans and Galveston Monarchs of the Cross Roads Amateur Football League got together at Memorial Stadium for a game to help raise money for the Golden Crescent CASA.

"People come out, have a good time, get to see the Victoria Texans and learn a little bit about CASA," said CASA executive director Tim Hornbeck.

Last year the Texans beat the Texas Wranglers 19-6 at Patti Welder Stadium to win the first CASA Bowl. Victoria lost 25-24 on Saturday.

Texans owner Rudy Guzman said that game raised $5,500 for the organization and the goal was to raise $10,000 on Saturday.

CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocate, is a national network of volunteers that help abused and neglected children that enter the foster care system.

The Golden Crescent chapter of CASA has only seven full-time employees and serves eight counties, eight counties, including Gonzales, Refugio, Calhoun and Lavaca.

CASA volunteer coordinator Debbie Ramirez that in addition to raising money and picking up more volunteers, the organization hopes to build awareness at the game.

"Raising money is big, but the need for volunteers is also big," Ramirez said.

Ramirez added that even if people didn't follow through on donating last year, the organization still received calls from members of the public who were curious about CASA.

CRAFL is Victoria-based amateur football league entering its third year of existence.

The league has grown to 50 teams in two classes, the amateur equivalents of AA and AAA.

League president Ruben Quintanilla said he had big plans for the league when he started it after playing for the Cuero Gobblers of South Texas Amateur Football for one season.

"I knew that I was going to dominate Texas and it was just a matter of time before it happened," Quintanilla said.

Last year the Texans were eliminated in the playoffs by eventual CRAFL champion Edinburg.